The gun went off. The excitement in the air was palpable. I looked around as each person took the first few steps of the 17 mile journey. Everyone was fleet of feet at that point. I felt great too. The Imogene Pass running race is 17 miles of beautiful and grueling terrain from Ouray Colorado to Telluride. The 10 mile ascent summits out at over 13,000 feet as each runner prepares for the 7 mile descent over loose rock and winding jeep road. This is not a race for the faint of heart. Of course, nobody said it would be easy. I think that’s why so many of us do the race year after year.
For me, life is like the race. It’s not always easy. Why would I want it to be? The hard times make me appreciate the times when things are really smooth. The challenges make me stronger and appreciate being alive.
Running Imogene is like lots of projects or experiences in my life. It starts off easy. I am excited and so is everybody else. Then the reality sets in. Running Imogene pass over the years has helped me to experience a host of emotions. Sometimes I wonder… why I would ever take on such a ridiculous adventure?
Can you relate? How many of us have started a new relationship, business venture, or community project thinking it would be easy? As an example, think about the first few months of any relationship. It is so easy. You are in love and everything is wonderful. It’s like Christmas or Hanukah every single day. Business projects are the same. We think about the results…the money…the fortune. Then one day the challenges occur. One day the race gets hard. What do leaders do when it gets tough? What do you do when it gets tough? Do you quit? Do you keep advancing?
One year when I was running up Imogene pass, I thought I was going to vomit I was so sick from fatigue. The altitude, steep incline, my lack of sleep, etc. My body hurt so badly and my feet were bleeding from the blisters forming in my wet socks. I wanted to quit. Who would know? I could slide into the forest and everyone would think I was just going to visit “mother nature”. God it hurts, I thought! Why me? Not now!
Magically, I glanced over to an older gentleman with a grey beard and shoulder length hair. He was lean. His eyes glimmered with purpose and Gods Light. He could see my pain. He could see that I was hurting so badly that I was about ready to cry. My eyes were swollen with tears and pain. He gently put his hand on my right shoulder. His touch was strong and loving. I looked into his beaming smile. He said “Just take the next step my friend”…and “then the next one”…”you will get there” That was all he ever said. That was it. There was no other verbal communication.
I heard him and I felt his wisdom to my core. My mind shifted. It happened so fast, I almost heard it click. I took the next step and suddenly I was picking up the pace again. I could feel him running near me. I could feel two spirits unite in the purpose of stepping forward. I was relieved. I was feeling strong. I felt so strong that eventually my angel friend and I caught up with our pace group. That was a cool feeling! Finally and gracefully we reached the summit.
I looked all over for my bearded friend. He was no where to be found. He disappeared never to be seen again. I wanted to thank him. He was a Miracle Leader!
What’s the message? In Life and Business there are a few things to keep in mind when the going gets tough. Firstly, it is nice to have people around you that are inspiring. I would not have finished the race without the mental, emotional and spiritual support of my bearded friend. It is good to surround yourself with people that care. Secondly, you must be open to receiving direction from those leaders around us. If you think you alone have all the answers, you will suffer.
Thirdly, just keep stepping. Focus all of your capacity on the next step. You will wear yourself out thinking about the next ten miles. Just take the next step. That’s it. I kid you not. Guess what happens after that step? Yes, that is right…the very next step and the next. Then pick up your foot and step again. It’s that hard and it’s that simple.
What area of your life and business do you need to keep stepping? Where do you feel fatigued? What project, relationship, and situation are you currently dealing with that requires the next step? Most of us are thinking about the problems or the Herculean effort to finish. If you feel stuck…don’t worry about the finish line. Just take the next step.
“He or she that endures to the end wins.”
~John Roger
I look forward to hearing your stories.
Loving,
Stephen McGhee
The Get Real Blog 